RocketBird Review

Some games thrive on backstory, detailed plots, and compelling characters to draw you in. Other games are inherently interesting enough not to need any trappings, and Rocket Bird is one of them. In fact, with no story and no tutorial, you find yourself playing the moment you start the game. But luckily the learning curve is short and youâ€™ll be on your way in no time.

RocketBird seems like the result of someone having a funny dream about a jetpack-enhanced chicken, and this is the realization of that dream. The game gives you a third-person view of the bird on its path, or rather a view of the birdâ€™s behind and the rocket on its back. Heâ€™s wearing a crash helmet and flaps his little wings intermittently and itâ€™s just too adorable. Heâ€™s flying along a pastoral countryside, just zooming along as fast as possible. The goal of RocketBird is distance covered without crashing. As you fly, various obstacles appear suddenly in your path, such as fences, pine trees, windmills and cows. You use the accelerometer to navigate, and are actually able to make some pretty steep turns when avoiding sudden trees. You have a meter running down beside you as you fly, and itâ€™s essentially a fuel gauge. To gain speed and keep your meter topped up you must steer into any lightning bolts that appear in your path. These give you a sudden hyper -boost, accompanied by a brief and rousing â€œHalleluiah!â€ But beware, the sudden boost can make navigating a bit of a challenge. Donâ€™t avoid the lightning bolts though, because when the meter runs out your journey will end rather abruptly. When you do crash, you land with a *bonk* and a cartoon cloud of chicken feathers.

I never expected to find a game that is simultaneously hypnotically calming while at the same time being randomly stress inducing. I donâ€™t think that the bizarre combination was the developersâ€™ intent, but it is an interesting result in any case. Iâ€™ve found myself playing the game right before I go to bed and then closing my eyes to see the flying continue. But as you go faster and faster a sudden crash can be quite jarring.

I just wish that the game makers had spent a bit more time on making sure that the different levels are properly different in appearance. With over 20-levels I expected some newness in each but instead found more of the same: watching the same clumps of tree constantly pass by eventually made me feel like I was in a Tom & Jerry cartoon.

RocketBird Review Rundown

8

Graphics/Sound - Both graphics and SFX (including 4 or 5 original tunes to fly by) are well crafted. They are both a little bit repetitive as well, unfortunately.

10

Controls - Amazingly sensitive without causing over correction. You can make some incredibly sharp turns with just a little motion. The most responsive I've seen yet.

8

Gameplay - It's easy to get into such grove in this game that a sudden unavoidable obstacle causes a great sense of shock. Otherwise the flying is incredibly soothing.

8

Replay Value - I've already beaten all of the levels, and feel a bit sad for it. I still enjoy the flying around though, so I'm sure I'll still pick it up from time to time.

8

Overall - Pretty fun, and I'm sure with some time and attention from the creators it will get better.

Angelina is an avid tech fan, amateur photographer, visual artist, foodie, and movie aficionado. She also like cats, rainbows and zombies (but not zombie cats, that would be sad). Tweet her feedback at @Anzi.